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Google Acquiring Tony Fadell-Founded Nest for $3.2 Billion

Monday January 13, 2014 12:19 pm PST by Jordan Golson
Google is acquiring Nest, the smart-home appliance maker that is behind the Nest Thermostat and the Nest Protect smoke detector, for a reported $3.2 billion in cash.

nest_protect_black
iPod co-creator Tony Fadell is the co-founder of the company alongside another former Apple employee, Matt Rogers. Nest tweeted that it will operate independent of Google.
Larry Page, CEO of Google, said: "Nest's founders, Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers, have built a tremendous team that we are excited to welcome into the Google family. They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now--thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe. We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!"
According to Re/code, Nest has raised more than $80 million in venture funding and was scheduled to close another $150 million round soon.

Update: Nest has posted an article about what will happen to the company going forward, and perhaps most importantly, addressing what customer data will be shared with Google:
Will Nest customer data be shared with Google?

Our privacy policy clearly limits the use of customer information to providing and improving Nest’s products and services. We’ve always taken privacy seriously and this will not change.
Re/code reports that Google was the only serious bidder for Nest and Apple was not interested in the company.

[ 611 comments ]


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Razeus
73 months ago

RIP iOS compatibility


Google has always given support to iOS. Don't be absurd with your sensationalism.

If this was the other way around, I'd be concerned.
Rating: 122 Votes
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wlossw
73 months ago
so how long till your smoke detector is trying to sell you fire insurance...:rolleyes:
Rating: 119 Votes
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nzalog
73 months ago
"Want to control your NEST thermostat remotely? Log in with your Google+ account now!"
Rating: 110 Votes
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musser
73 months ago
Abandoned Nest

Well, that's ends MY interest in ever buying any of these. If Google's involved, I'm gone. They're trying their best to own us all. Well, not me!
Rating: 104 Votes
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Way2Poppy
73 months ago
Noooo!

For Sale:

2 Nest Thermostats
3 Nest Protects


This is a shame. Google sucks.
Rating: 84 Votes
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Mwongozi
73 months ago
RIP iOS compatibility
Rating: 62 Votes
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BlueberryMac
73 months ago
Great, now every time I burn toast, I'll be auto-enrolled in Google+. :)
Rating: 61 Votes
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thelonelylimo
73 months ago
wow, I sure am glad I never bought into anything from Nest yet. I had planned to, but now I would need to create a Google+ account to change the temperature in my house. :cool:
Rating: 56 Votes
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jmthigpen
73 months ago
Apple should've scooped up that one.
Rating: 52 Votes
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7thson
73 months ago

"Want to control your NEST thermostat remotely? Log in with your Google+ account now!"


"Share your home's temperature with your friends!"
Rating: 46 Votes

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